Turn up the heat right along with Mother Nature by treating yourself to one (or more) of this month’s new queer romances!
Well, Actually
Author: Mazey Eddings
Released: August 5, 2025 by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceAn utterly delightful and sexy second-chance romance between a black cat and golden retriever with Mazey Edding’s signature sparkling voice!
Eva Kitt never expected to be the host of Sausage Talk, interviewing B-list celebrities over lukewarm hot dogs, instead of pursuing the journalism career she dreamed of. But when Eva’s impromptu public call out of her college ex goes viral, she’s thrust into the spotlight. It doesn’t help said ex is Rylie Cooper, a beloved social media personality that has built a platform on deconstructing toxic masculinity and teaching men how to be good partners.
Forced to confront Rylie on a live episode of Sausage Talk, he offers Eva a allow him to take her on a series of dates to make up for his toxic behavior, then debrief them on his channel to show he’s changed. Eva refuses to play nice, but agrees to the scheme to advance her own career and continue defaming Rylie’s good name. When these manufactured dates start to feel real, Eva has to wonder if the boy that broke her heart has become the man that might heal it.
I have a very simple Mazey Eddings policy, which is that if she writes it, I’m buying it, and it’s a policy that’s so far served me very well. As such, I’m deeply optimistic about this bi4bi m/f romance, especially since I love me a mean girl MC, and I think we’re all ready for more men in slutty glasses.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!The Build-a-Boyfriend Project
Author: Mason Deaver
Released: August 5, 2025 by Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceBestselling and award-winning author Mason Deaver’s adult romance debut follows a journalist in a dead-end job who agrees to teach his disastrous blind date how to be a better boyfriend. Readers will delight in this sweet and steamy queer romance with trans representation!
Eli Francis is stuck. Stuck in an assistant position at the online magazine Vent when he should be a writer. Stuck with a boss who dangles a promotion but would rather he just fetch the coffee. Stuck working alongside the ex who has had no trouble moving up at work…or moving on.
When Eli’s roommates push him to date so he can get over his ex once and for all, they set him up with Peter Park. Tall, handsome, and unbelievably awkward. The date is a complete disaster, and further proof to Eli that love isn’t for him. But when his boss overhears Eli recounting the catastrophic night, he suggests teaching Peter to be a better boyfriend through a series of simulated dates so he can write an article about it.
But Eli has other ideas…Eli plays along, pretending to write the article, while secretly interviewing Peter about growing up queer in the South and coming-of-age dating wise in adulthood. Eli hopes writing this sort of piece will finally get him the promotion he deserves. And in exchange, he will teach Peter how to be a better boyfriend.
But the more time Eli spends with Peter, the closer they become, and the lines between what’s real and what’s fake begin to blur. Before long Eli is forced to face his greatest fears to become the writer he wants to be and secure the love he’s always needed.
Deaver’s debut, the nonbinary YA I Wish You All the Best, was such a smash hit that you can currently watch the movie trailer, but I’m definitely grateful they brought their talents to Adult because this fun and sexy m/m romance was an absolute delight. A must read for those grabbing every bit of trans joy they can get their hands on.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!The Sun and the Moon
Author: Rebekah Faubion
Released: August 12, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceLike the sun and the moon, these opposites can’t escape each other’s gravitational pull in the next enchanting romance from Rebekah Faubion.
Cadence Connolly grew up in the cosmic shadow of her mother, the renown psychic Madame Moira. Now, as a park ranger in Maine, she’s carved out her own life far away from her mother’s many premonitions and tarot cards . . . until she receives an invitation to Moira’s engagement party. Cadence doesn’t know what led to the thawing of her mother’s heart, but she’ll have to return home to discover the truth.
Sydney Sinclair’s schedule as a pilot makes long-term relationships difficult, but at least she can fly anywhere in the world for free with only her emotional baggage as a carry-on. After her mom passed, it’s always been Sydney and her dad against the world, so it’s no wonder she doesn’t trust the enigmatic Madame Moira—his newly minted fiancée.
When Cadence meets Sydney, they realize they both share similar suspicions about their parents’ impending nuptials. As they begin scheming to break up their parents’ engagement—they can’t possibly be in love after such a short time together— Sydney and Cadence discover an irresistible chemistry with each other instead. Despite not believing in fate, Cadence might just have found her soulmate in Sydney.
The Lovers immediately shot onto my favorites contemporary f/f romances list last year, so I couldn’t wait for Faubion’s next offering, and it did not disappoint, though it’s got a bit of a different vibe. We’ve still got sizzling chemistry and an amazing cast, but this newest has an intriguing and twisty thread of mystery throughout that I did not see coming and definitely kept me on my toes alongside the romance.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Toni and Addie Go Viral
Author: Melissa Marr
Released: August 12, 2025 by Bramble
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceMistakes Were Made meets Delilah Green Doesn’t Care in a charming lesbian romance from New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr
Hot new author and her lead actress stun fans in a secret wedding―is it all a publicity stunt? Or something more…
On a whim―and hoping to pay off the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt her grifter father left behind―Victorian history professor Toni Darbyshire sells her lesbian detective novel in a massive deal. Suddenly thrust into the overwhelming new world of publishing, plus a television adaptation, Toni’s life gets even more complicated when her one-night stand turned pen pal (and the namesake for her main character) shows up in person for casting of the show.
Aspiring actress Addie’s had a crush on the professor ever since she watched her lectures on the Victorian era to prep for a stage role. Now, getting cast in Toni’s TV series could be her big break. But Addie’s in over her head when promo pictures of their fake Victorian wedding go viral. She could lose more than just her heart … and her historically accurate underthings.
Melissa Marr has built her name on fantasy (and continues to do so with her Sapphic “A Course in Magic” series), so I anxiously await seeing what she can do with a contemporary rom-com, especially since it’s got fun bookish and Hollywood angles.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!The Secret Crush Book Club
Author: Karmen Lee
Released: August 26, 2025 by Afterglow Books by Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceA dedicated single mother and a librarian with a secret write their own sweet and sexy love story in this small-town rom-com about family, friendships and embracing the next chapter.
Nothing cures a lonely heart quite like a good book
and an unexpected crush…
For Dani, life is a juggling act. As a single mom devoted to her son and family, she barely has a moment to herself. But when her sister announces she’s moving out of the house, the ache of loneliness creeps in, and Dani can’t help but wonder if there’s something else she’s been missing in her life…
Zoey came to Peach Blossom eager to start her new job as the town’s librarian and do a little research for her next book. Yet she never expected to find inspiration in fellow book club member Dani, whose captivating brown eyes tell a story of their own. Before they know it, lingering glances over their favorite fiction turn into first dates and sizzling nights.
As their connection deepens, the two women must decide if they should turn the page on what their lives used to look like or if this thrilling plot twist is the happily-ever-after they’ve been chasing all along.
From showing up to glowing up, the characters in Afterglow Books are on the path to leading their best lives and finding sizzling romance along the way. Don’t miss any of these other fun titles…
I’m excited to see another spicy small-town romance from Lee, but honestly it was “book club” that sold me, because that just sounds like the absolute cutest premise for a budding romance. Plus, single mom! Librarian! So many good things!
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!
I’m excited about The Secret Crush Book Club, it sounds really cute. Melissa Marr is on my do not buy list. I read Remedial magic which I absolutely hated and I think is actively harmful. It’s supposed to be a romance but it absolutely is not because the entire relationship is built on lies and one of the characters does something unforgivable to her love interest. There are other problems with that book too but it was really disappointing because there’s a lot of great queer romance out there.
Build a Boyfriend Project is going on my wishlist. 🙂 For anyone actively looking for trans characters in queer romance with no tragedy, my full-length novel INTO YOU (slow-burn age-gap M/M Hollywood romance featuring an important side character in trans woman Patrice Diaz) and novelette STAR OF WONDER (Patrice’s holiday romance) are on permanent sale everywhere.
That’s INTO YOU and STAR OF WONDER by A.Y. Caluen. 🙂
I also have a new release scheduled this month from JMS Books but a buy link isn’t yet available. ETERNAL SUMMER, a lifetime-love M/M romance novella featuring a Broadway writer and an actor/singer/dancer who makes it in Hollywood, set 1937-1987, coming soon from Alexandra Caluen.
I’d love to have it reviewed here but alas, my review requests never get picked up … so if it sounds interesting to you, please bookmark my page at JMS Books! There’s always a preorder discount and you get an actual book file, not a license. 🙂
I read the ARC of Well, Actually, and it was so good!
These all sound delightful. Thank you!!
It was the very end of July (the 31st), but C.S. Poe released “Hudson River Homicides”, the fourth book in her Memento Mori series. The original release date was May 2024, but she wasn’t happy with it and ended up rewriting the book. I’m not mad at all about having to wait, because it was a satisfying read. Now we’re waiting on book 5!
All on my TBR!
Well Actually was wonderful! I was dubious about it, I don’t remember exactly why, but the main female lead was totally a bitch at first (not undeservedly) and I thought for sure I’d DNF, but i ended up LOVING it.